MANY local pharmacies are this month backing Rotary Bowelscan, a program that provides do-it-yourself home tests for men aged over 40.
Bowel cancer is considered Australia’s most prevalent internal cancer affecting men, yet is curable if caught early.
The $6 test kits spot early warning signs of bowel cancer and are available from participating pharmacies in March.
The test detects blood passed form the bowel that is invisible to the naked eye. The blood can be an early warning of cancer.
Rotary co-ordinator for the southern areas Winston Marsh said annual tests provided a good chance of early detection.
“There have been a number of early detection cases already,” he said. “The reason we are able to keep costs down are that participating pharmacies, Western Pathology and Rotary are offering this service for free.”
The kits must be returned to participating pharmacies for pathology by April 14.